BEN'S BLITZ: Four downs from Week 9 of the NFL season

Ben Destefanbdestefan@therecordherald.com

Tuesday

Nov 6, 2018 at 7:00 AM

Four downs (takeaways) from Week 9 of the NFL season:

1ST DOWN

I've tried not to rant about how much of a "me" guy Le'Veon Bell is in this column. After another stellar performance by James Conner on Sunday — and the deadline that Bell must show up growing near — it's time to finally vent.

Refusing to sign a franchise tag that was worth $14.5 million and costing himself $855,000 for each week that passes, Bell is banking on himself to get a huge payday in free agency after this season. It just won't be in Pittsburgh.

Per the collective bargaining agreement, he has to show up by Nov. 13 to be eligible to play this season. So, by next Tuesday, the guy who goes by the alias of "Juice" when he's in the studio will either return to the Steelers or miss the entire season by choice.

At this point, he can focus on his music career. Pittsburgh — and its fanbase — has rallied around the local kid who is quickly putting together an All-Pro season.

Seizing the role of starting running back behind a highly-underrated offensive line, Conner torched a No. 1-ranked Ravens defense for 163 total yards in the Steelers' 23-16 victory on Sunday. It was the Pitt product's (yeah, he played college ball in the same city) fourth straight 100-yard rushing game, becoming the first player in franchise history to score 10 touchdowns in the opening eight games of a season. Oh, and he was named AFC Offensive Player of the Month for October.

When on the field, Bell is a special talent. Clearly, so is Conner. One of them wants to be there while the other wants paid, since apparently $14.5 million wasn't enough.

If Bell actually shows up in the next week, there should be zero discussion about who the feature back is in an offense that is beginning to click. Conner has earned the job. Bell has earned the criticism.

2ND DOWN

As for Baltimore, these rumors about possibly firing head coach John Harbaugh during the season just seem insane to me.

I get that the Ravens appear to be regressing by the week, dropping a third straight to fall to 4-5 overall after a 3-1 start. But, Baltimore has a reputation for stability, and canning Harbaugh at the halfway point just seems really out of character.

At the end of the year, especially if the Ravens miss the playoffs again, sure. I'm just not buying in the middle of the season.

What might help is a little less forcing rookie Lamar Jackson into the playbook, drawing up strange — and unsuccessful — designs just to get the kid the ball. We recognize Jackson is extremely athletic, but some of the plays look like a broken video game.

It's not impossible that Harbaugh goes during the Ravens' bye week. I just wouldn't bet on it.

3RD DOWN

Last week I questioned how good any of the four teams are in the NFC East. Sunday, Washington reinforced my concern.

The Redskins were blown out, 38-14, at home by the Atlanta Falcons. Granted, Atlanta has begun to hit its stride. Still, these are the types of games quality teams win, especially when trying to maintain control of a wide-open division.

Then came Monday's terrible news of offensive linemen Brandon Scherff and Shawn Lauvao both suffering season-ending injuries in the loss.

While Washington is still in first place, Philadelphia and Dallas are positioned to surpass the Redskins in the second half.

4TH DOWN

The Rams/Saints game lived up to the billing, serving as arguably Sunday's most exciting tilt. New Orleans emerged victorious in the shootout, winning 45-35 to hand Los Angeles its first loss of the season.

Exemplified by the score, both squads have a tremendous amount of offensive firepower, separating them from the rest of the NFC, in my opinion.

And, while Todd Gurley is a superstar out of the backfield for the Rams, Alvin Kamara is a human highlight reel for the Saints. Sprinkle in the physical style of fellow ball carrier Mark Ingram, and New Orleans is a handful. Not to mention future hall-of-famer Drew Brees pulling the trigger.

With the win, the Saints improved to 7-1 overall. The Rams are now 8-1. I'd fully expect these two to meet again come January.

EXTRA POINT

Although completely meaningless, power rankings continue to grow in popularity. So, starting this week, I'm going to do something a little different, providing my top five teams at the moment.

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
Waynesboro Record Herald - Waynesboro, PA ~ 30 Walnut St. Waynesboro, PA 17268 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service